MNI Global Morning Briefing

     LONDON (MNI) - As parts of the US government remain in shutdown, data is

fairly scarce on Friday, with only one release from the States. The three

releases of interest that end the week are the November Italy Industrial

Production data at 0900GMT, UK November monthly GDP reading at 0930GMT and the

US December CPI reading at 1330GMT.

     Industrial production in Italy grew by 0.1% m/m and 1.0% y/y in October.

     In the UK, monthly GDP was 0.1% m/m in October and 0.4% on a rolling 3m/3m

basis. The MNI median suggests the m/m reading remained at 0.1% in November.

However, the rolling 3m/3m reading is expected at 0.3% as a result of the weaker

October and predicted weaker November.

     In November, US CPI was unchanged on the month and core CPI was at 0.2%

m/m. The MNI median anticipates CPI dropping to -0.2% m/m in December, but core

CPI remaining at 0.2%.

--MNI London Bureau; tel: +44 203-586-2225; email: les.commons@marketnews.com